The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[tfc3rid]

The ship's rates for euros (especially) are NOT good at all. The exchange rate for the euro is currently at $1.23 (instead of $1.39), and for the pound it's $1.48 vs. $1.52 (not bad). If you only need a small amount of foreign currency, it is probably worth exchanging money onboard. For large purchases, use your credit card or get money from an ATM.

Agreed...

I got Euro's at 1.28 and Pounds at 1.44

 

[mardonna]

live blogs or trip reports for first baltic cruise...trying to get as much info as I can before I leave tomorrow....

 

[Toocoolmom]

Seas have been rough the last few days and cold. My dd has been hit hard, so I ended up buying her a sea band. Hope it works.

How is the sea band working. I have heard mixed reviews. Was it very expensive?

 

[mom_rules]

just wondered how you got to port from London?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

just wondered how you got to port from London?

Can I say, from my observations on Saturday:-

Those cruisers who braved our roads and booked car hire had a very good idea. National Car Hire has a drop off location within walking distance of the port. You can drive from London to Dover easy on M20, and then drop off luggage and check in and the driver just drives it back and can walk back to port, have ID.

Can also stop at Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, Canterbury on various routes.

Note LONDON END we have lots of rules congestion charge poor parking, or expensive, so not good for driving in and around London.

Train Dover Priory is good but requires taxi transfer, they were frequent back and forth, but queues could develop at peak times. Dover priory is reached from London, Charring Cross, London Bridge, Victoria, or St Pancrus.

I do not recommend National Express. Stops a bit far away.Long journey.

I saw a lot of people coming by taxi from the train, also lots walking to/from Port, and struggling with luggage, its a long winding road, over a bridge from the port, over the railway line with trucks every few minutes, going to the ferries, OK If you haven't your luggage Dover town is OK in 10>15 mins, but with luggage an issue.

 

[dietcokefan]

Does anyone know the port or dock that the Magic will be at when in Oslo?

 

[lzj21428]

Andrew, did you see Disney buses arrive? What time did they start showing up?

We sail on the 24th and are taking Disney transportation from LHR to port. We get in @ 6:40. I'm hoping the first bus leaves by 9:00

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, did you see Disney buses arrive? What time did they start showing up?

We sail on the 24th and are taking Disney transportation from LHR to port. We get in @ 6:40. I'm hoping the first bus leaves by 9:00

Yes, now they were all different companies and colours, and had to read a paper sign in the front for DCL, But they were coming in like Port Canaveral, on a staggered basis, post 1pm. I assume they may have a stop en route down at the Motorway services.

Its a clear route down but there are roadworks with a 50 limit on the way back, for about 5>10 miles.

I do not know their pick up structure but think its later than 9am, say 10.30am.

 

[lzj21428]

Yes, now they were all different companies and colours, and had to read a paper sign in the front for DCL, But they were coming in like Port Canaveral, on a staggered basis, post 1pm. I assume they may have a stop en route down at the Motorway services.

Its a clear route down but there are roadworks with a 50 limit on the way back, for about 5>10 miles.

I do not know their pick up structure but think its later than 9am, say 10.30am.

Thanks for the info. Not happy about 10:30 bus time. That makes for a long wait in the airport and will get us to port way later than I like. Wonder if I can still cancel the transportation and get a car service.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for the info. Not happy about 10:30 bus time. That makes for a long wait in the airport and will get us to port way later than I like. Wonder if I can still cancel the transportation and get a car service.

I can only go by my observations; best to get someone who was on one to confirm, but, I do not think this is like MCO to PC, with a regular service, moreover, a set pick up time like WDW reosrts. Hotel by Hotel.

At WDW they aim to arrive around 1pm,

The cruise terminal is small and enless you are after Palo there isnt much to gain by getting there early. Plus on DCL transfers they take care of the luggage.

 

[Madisonznana]

Yes, now they were all different companies and colours, and had to read a paper sign in the front for DCL, But they were coming in like Port Canaveral, on a staggered basis, post 1pm. I assume they may have a stop en route down at the Motorway services.

Its a clear route down but there are roadworks with a 50 limit on the way back, for about 5>10 miles.

I do not know their pick up structure but think its later than 9am, say 10.30am.

Oh great, we get in a 7:30am. That will be a long wait after an all night flight.

 

[lzj21428]

Andrew, you make a good point regarding the luggage.

Am I correct in that travel time from LHR to Dover is approx 2 hrs? Maybe longer w/ the road work? You mention a stop at "motorway services", what does that mean?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, you make a good point regarding the luggage.

Am I correct in that travel time from LHR to Dover is approx 2 hrs? Maybe longer w/ the road work? You mention a stop at "motorway services", what does that mean?

On a good day that is possible without roadworks or a break, I would say two and a half to be on the safe side, longer in traffic james and rush hour.

Motorways are our Expressways, or freeways, or interstates, every so often there is a service area with food oulets and restrooms.

 

[Scoobydoo76]

Does anyone know the port or dock that the Magic will be at when in Oslo?

I sent an e-mail to Disney and this is what they told me:

Oslo, Norway: Akershus Kaia
Copenhagen, Denmark: Langelinie
Helsinki, Finland: Munkki Saari Quay, West Harbour
Stockholm, Sweden: Frihamnen

 

[aurorafan65]

live blogs or trip reports for first baltic cruise...trying to get as much info as I can before I leave tomorrow....

I only have these 2

http://vwsmaltz.com/blog/

http://balticmickeycruise.blogspot.com/

 

[TDC Nala]

My flight doesn't even land until 10:10, there's no way I am going to be on a bus at 10:30.

Disney said the latest landing time you could have and still book Disney transfers was 11:30 so there must be buses leaving after that.

As for the early morning arrivers...don't know...but I am sure there won't be just one pickup.

 

[MrsG]

I sent an e-mail to Disney and this is what they told me:

Oslo, Norway: Akershus Kaia
Copenhagen, Denmark: Langelinie
Helsinki, Finland: Munkki Saari Quay, West Harbour
Stockholm, Sweden: Frihamnen

Thank you!

 

[NancyIL]

I sent an e-mail to Disney and this is what they told me:

Oslo, Norway: Akershus Kaia
Copenhagen, Denmark: Langelinie
Helsinki, Finland: Munkki Saari Quay, West Harbour
Stockholm, Sweden: Frihamnen

That's the same Akershus as at Epcot - except the one in Oslo is bigger and a LOT older!

 

[TDC Nala]

And no princesses or overpriced food inside

 

[NancyIL]

And no princesses or overpriced food inside

Maybe a few trolls. On the contrary, I've read that prices in Oslo are QUITE high. But those of you on this Baltic cruise should be used to that already - having paid DCL an arm and a leg!